Who is out there doing research on parrot learning?

[(Kim Sterelny)]

Hi Folks,
          I have an enquiry to make on behalf of a friend of mine, Celia
Heyes who is a psychologist at the University of London. She has been
working on social learning by animals, with a particular interest in
imitation. Until now, she has worked with mammals (mostly rats) and on
behavioural imitation, but she has become interested in exploring the
possibility of linkages between acoustic and behavioural imitation.
Australian parrots - in particular, some of the cockatoo species - seem
natural subjects with which to work, since they exhibit both complex
manipulative behaviour and complex vocal behaviour. So my enquiry is: does
anyone know of experimental programs on animal learning using australian
parrots as their subjects? If so, could you please e-mail me (off the list
I think since this is not of general interest) so I can pass the
information on.

Thanks
Kim Sterelny

Kim Sterelny
Philosophy
Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600, Wellington
New Zealand



phone: 64/(0)4/4721-000
Fax: 64/(0)4/495-5130